Tuesday 24 September 2013

Latest Balmoral Newsletter


The latest MV Balmoral Newsletter has been emailed to all those who signed up for it via the MV Balmoral website. To sign up for future editions just enter your email address at the bottom of the home page on the website.

The current newsletter contains the following progress to date report:


The Balmoral Strategy Group has set up a company with charitable aims, MV Balmoral Fund Ltd, to lead on the fundraising campaign to finance dry- docking, refit and establish working capital for a new operating company dedicated to the operation of MV Balmoral. Although operating under the auspices of a separate company, MV Balmoral's operation will dovetail with that of PS Waverley' where practicable to do so.

The operation of MV Balmoral differs from that of PS Waverley and it is felt local management will ensure the ship is given the best possible chance of success in the future. The new operating company would charter the ship from the owning company Waverley Steam Navigation.

On 31 August we were delighted to welcome aboard seventy five Paddle Steamer Preservation Society members and friends, including representatives from Wessex, London and Northern Branches. The Balmoral Strategy Group presented an update on the campaign to return the ship to operation. We were delighted to be joined once more by the Jig Mad Wolf Ceilidh and Barn Dance Band who provided entertainment following the meeting. The band had attended the ship during the Bristol Harbour Festival.

21 September saw the ship receive a visit from the Bristol Civic Society who were appraised of the ships history, firmly rooted in Bristol, and the campaign to return what is now Bristol’s last seagoing ship to operation. The 35 visitors appreciated seeing work in progress, and were enthusiastic in ideas and encouragement.


Sign up today and keep up to date with the Balmoral appeal. A donation form can be downloaded from the website at mvbalmoral.org.uk.


Paul Semple